Village Squire, 1977-12, Page 13"It's like working on a jigsaw puzzle," John Jones quips, as he
fits together the five pieces of a wooden cross.
-....._...__....moi' , ,w
On a workbench in a back room, these planters, Christmas tree
decorations, bean boxes and jewel boxes wait to be moved into
the front of the Shakespearean Gift Shop.
ShaI€esp earean
GiflShop
A showplace for Canadian craftsmanship
BY ELAINE TOWNSHEND
"Tourists don't want to buy things that are made in Taiwador
Japan; they want souvenirs that are truly Canadian." says John
Jones.
And that is what they find at The Shakespearean Gift Shop
across from the Avon Theatre in Stratford. The shop, formerly
known as the Necklace Boutique, has been under the
management of John and his wife, Alethea, since October,
although he admits it is really his wife who runs the store.
They make many of the items they sell, and they specialize in
wooden crafts, including planters, hangers, wall plaques. bean
boxes, jewel boxes and Christmas tree decorations.
They use clear pine and clear cedar, that is finished with a
varnish or a dark stain. John cuts, shapes and sands the wood in
his basement workshop. Then he takes the pieces to a back room
of the shop, where Alethea adds dried flower arrangements.
Finally. the pieces are glued together.
"It's like working on a jigsaw puzzle," John quips.
For example, the wall plaques consist of several small
pentagon -shaped boxes, that are fitted together to form different
shapes. such as a circle or a cross. Each tiny box contains
colourful dried flowers enclosed in Plexiglas. John and Alethea
use Plexiglas in all their products as a safety precaution. If
children buy gifts for their mothers, there is no danger of them
breaking the glass.
VILLAGE SQUIRE/DECEMBER 1977, 11.